Pilbara – population and health snapshot The Pilbara region covers 507,896 square kilometres (including offshore islands) and is Western Australia’s second most northern region. The region incorporates two health districts – West and East Pilbara, with the vast majority of the population residing in the west. The main population centres of the Pilbara are Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman. Population Measure of disadvantage The estimated resident population in 2013 was 66,298, a Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) measures a growth of 22,209 people since 2006. This represents an broad range of socio-economic indices from a baseline increase of 6% per year. Most of the population resides in of 1,000. Research shows that a lower SEIFA (<1000) the mining towns of Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman. correlates with a lower health status with increased risk factors to ill health. The Pilbara has a younger age structure compared to other regions, with a large concentration of Pilbara residents in Based on the 2011 census the lowest SEIFA score for a the 20-54 year old range. This is attributed to an influx of Pilbara Local Government Area was 962 in the East Pilbara, predominantly males aged between 20 and 44 years that and the highest was Roebourne with 1,060. However, work in the mining and construction industries as residents there is a Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) within Roebourne or fly-in/fly-out workers. with a score of 1,136 and another SA1 within East Pilbara with a score of 496, which is in the lowest 30% of scores Aboriginal people accounted for 16% of the region’s in the State. The 2011 SEIFA scores for towns in the Pilbara population (State average 3.8%) and has a younger age are1: structure than the non-Aboriginal population. East Pilbara 962 Planning outreach teams Port Hedland 1,033 Ashburton 1,057 [ Consider differing age structure when planning Roebourne 1,060 Aboriginal programs and services. [ Target low SEIFA score areas, in particular very remote 1 ABS, 2033.0.55.001 – Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Pilbara communities. Data Cube only, 2011. With thanks to WA Country Health Service for permission to use data from various sources including the Pilbara Regional Health Profile 2015 which can be accessed at www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=445. PAGE 1 Major health service providers Major health services Community and public health services Mental health and Aboriginal Medical Hospital services aged care services Services l Nickol Bay l Roebourne Community Health l Pilbara Mental Health l Mawarnkarra Health Hospital l Wickham Health Centre and Drug Service – Service Karratha, Tom Price, l Roebourne l West Pilbara Community Health Service l Puntukurnu Aboriginal Hospital Newman, South Medical Service (PAMS) l Marble Bar Nursing Post Hedland l Newman Hospital l Wirraka Maya Health l Nullagine Community Health Service l Karlarra House – Port l Hedland Health Services Aboriginal l Port Hedland Community Health Hedland Campus Corporation Service l Yaandina Frail Aged l Tom Price Hospital l South Hedland Community Health Care – Roebourne l Onslow Hospital Service l Paraburdoo l Ashburton Community Health Centre Hospital l Onslow Community Health Service Further health service information can be found at www.myhospitals.gov.au and www.ruralhealthaustralia.gov.au. Maternal health Overview of rural maternity which was significantly higher (1.3 weight, premature birth, placental services times) than the non-Aboriginal rate complications and stillbirths. (63 per 1,000 women). Community based pregnancy and Figure 1 shows the proportion maternity care services are provided Teenage pregnancy of births to Pilbara women who by WA Country Health Service, private In 2012, 5% of Pilbara women who reported smoking during pregnancy. general practitioners, Aboriginal gave birth were aged less than 20 In 2013, 56% of Aboriginal women, Community Controlled Health years. The proportion of births to and 10% of non-Aboriginal women Services and a range of community Aboriginal teenage women in the who gave birth reported smoking based and non-government Pilbara was 21%. during pregnancy. The reported rate organisations. Specialist obstetric of Aboriginal women smoking during Smoking during pregnancy services are mainly provided at the pregnancy increased significantly regional hospitals. In the Pilbara, Risks associated with smoking during from 2011. planned birthing services are pregnancy include low birth available at Hedland Health Campus, and Nickol Bay Hospital2. Figure 1: 2011-2013 proportion of women smoking during pregnancy, Pilbara residents. Aboriginal maternity issues There is a large body of evidence to demonstrate that Aboriginal women experience poorer maternal health outcomes, higher rates of perinatal and infant mortality and deliver babies with lower average birth weights when compared to non- Aboriginal women. Birth rates In 2012, the overall Pilbara age- specific birth rate was 66 per 1000 women which was similar to the State rate. For 2008-2012, the age-specific birth rate for Aboriginal women in Notes: The error bars represent the 95% confidence interval of the proportion: 2013 is preliminary data. the Pilbara was 80 per 1,000 women Source: Midwives Notification System 2 www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Having-a-baby-in-a-public-country-hospital-in-WA PAGE 2 Alcohol during pregnancy Table 1: 2012-2013 levels of drinking during pregnancy, Australian women aged 18-44 years. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Low risk levels of drinking High risk levels of drinking (FASD), miscarriage and stillbirth are Aboriginal 28.4% 11.6% among the consequences of drinking during pregnancy. FASD is a common Non-Aboriginal 42% 9.5% cause of medical, cognitive and Sources: WA Register for Developmental Anomalies and the Midwives Notification System behavioural problems for children Table 2: 2005-2007 women who gave birth in Australia and gestational diabetes mellitus status. including prematurity, brain damage, Gestational diabetes mellitus Births birth defects, growth restriction and Percent Number Total developmental delay. Aboriginal 5.1% 1,562 30,518 The FASD birth prevalence has been Non-Aboriginal 4.7% 37,539 802,175 reported to be 0.26 per 1,000 births within all of the WA population. Of Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010 these, 89% were Aboriginal. The type 2 diabetes later in life. The risk FASD birth prevalence was 4.08 is increased for those with pre- Planning outreach per 1,000 within the WA Aboriginal existing diabetes prior to pregnancy. teams population, significantly higher than Aboriginal mothers and their babies non-Aboriginal children (0.03 per [ Health promotion generally experienced the adverse interventions on smoking and 1,000). Table 1 shows the proportion effects of gestational diabetes drinking during pregnancy of Australian women drinking during mellitus (GDM) at higher rates. targeting Aboriginal women of child pregnancy. bearing age. 7% of Western Australian women who [ Access to dietitians and nutritional Gestational diabetes mellitus gave birth in 2012 were diagnosed professionals for expectant Diabetes in pregnancy increases the with GDM. Table 2 provides an Aboriginal mothers. risk of complications of pregnancy, overview of gestational diabetes [ Strengthen partnerships with labour and delivery for mothers and mellitus status in Australia during primary care providers such as local GPs and Aboriginal Medical their babies. It is also an indicator 2005-2007. Services. of increased risk of developing Child and adolescent health Low birth weight the State rate. The low birth rate for In 2012, Australian Bureau of Statistics A baby’s birth weight is a key Pilbara Aboriginal babies was 12%, data classed 22% of Australian indicator of health status. The World which was less than the State rate for children as developmentally Health Organisation defines low birth Aboriginal babies (14%). vulnerable on one or more domains of the AEDC. In addition, 11% were weight as less than 2,500 grams. Australian Early Development developmentally vulnerable on two Babies born with a low birth weight Census are more likely to develop significant or more domains. Within Pilbara The Australian Early Development disabilities and have a greater risk of communities, the proportion of Census (AEDC) is a measure of poor health and mortality outcomes. children rated as developmentally how children are developing upon For 2008-2012, low birth weight rates vulnerable on one or more domains commencing full-time school for the in the Pilbara was 6%, which mirrored ranged from 5.9% to 47%. The towns first time. with the highest proportion of children classed as developmentally Planning outreach teams vulnerable are shown in Table 3. [ Increase allied health professionals to assist early childhood development. Teams could include speech pathologists, To learn more about the AEDC, visit occupational therapists, physiotherapists and child health nurses. www.aedc.gov.au/about-the-aedc. Table 3: 2012 AEDC, Pilbara children vulnerable on at least one domain. Children vulnerable: 1+ domains Children vulnerable: 2+ domains Community Number % of total surveyed Number % of total surveyed East Pilbara and remote communities 8 47 6 35 Roebourne 6 38 4 25 Nickol/Baynton/Millars Well 45 26 19 11 South Hedland 34 26 16 12 PAGE 3 Ear health Ear diseases, in particular otitis media, household conditions, passive l Rate of PPH due to ENT infections and associated hearing loss are highly smoking, premature